Hortica Dedicates Garden for SAF

Source:

Hortica

Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits recently created a Society of American Florists (SAF) Garden on their grounds in recognition of SAF’s 125th anniversary and the longstanding relationship between Hortica and SAF.

On April 27, Hortica played host to SAF Executive Vice President and CEO Peter Moran at their annual employee appreciation company breakfast for dedication of the garden. The “SAF Garden” will showcase new annual varieties each spring to educate visitors and present the latest products developed through research. Anchoring the garden is a 'Prairiefire' crabapple tree.

The Society of American Florists was formed in 1884 in Chicago as a national trade association by 21 members of the American Association of Nurserymen, Florist and Seedsmen. Within the first year, SAF had grown to 400 members. Hail insurance was a hot topic during this time; in 1887 Florists’ Hail Association was formed by a committee of SAF in order to protect greenhouse owners against hail damage. For the last 125 years the relationship between SAF and Florists’ Mutual – later renamed Hortica – has remained constant.

“The garden serves as a reminder of SAF’s remarkable contribution to the industry and the ties which forever unite SAF and Hortica," said Mona Haberer, Hortica's president and CEO.